David Harker, who has led the club for the past 13 years, will leave his role in May to pursue a private business venture.

He joined the club as financial controller in 1991, before being promoted to his current position. His time in charge has been the most successful in the club’s history, with two county championship titles and the award of an Ashes test next year. Mr Harker tendered his resignation to the cricket club board earlier this week. He will maintain involvement with the Chester-le-Street club, having been invited to take up a role as a non-executive director after he leaves his executive post in May.

Mr Harker said that the decision had not been easy, but felt the new business venture – details of which are still being finalised – represented an opportunity that was too good to pass by.

He said: “I have enjoyed a fantastic 20 years with DCCC. The club has changed beyond recognition since I joined the team, and it’s a real honour to have played a part in the fantastic achievements made here.

“However, with the Ashes secured in 2013 – something we could once have scarcely imagined happening in Durham – and a very strong and committed management team now on board, I had been thinking that the coming year may be the one in which I looked for a new challenge.

“I’m thrilled that I can retain involvement in a non-executive capacity.”